Lac du Flambeau - Major changes in walleye bag limits in Northern Wisconsin could cause controversy. We spoke to a local tribal leader to understand why the tribes want this change. Chairman Maulson of the Lac du Flambeau tribe stressed resources and communication, much more than walleye."Our thought is to make sure that the resources aren't being harmed… the state DNR always claim the fact that they're doing the right thing by the proper protocol. And we're saying that that protocol, we're being left out," Tom Maulson, President of the Lac du Flambeau Tribe.
Other major concerns Maulson named are pollution from mining, motor trolling for fish, and wolf hunting. He says the tribes have not been included in these decisions by the state. "Let's get together and find out what the issues are really all about," he says, "That's something that I guess we're not really taken seriously …" This year 5 Chippewa tribes reduced their walleye bag limits to one per day on 197 lakes. The Lac du Flambeau tribe lowered all but one of their 233 lakes to a 2 walleye per day limit. This is a drastic change from recent years in the ceded territories, but Chairman Maulson seems to think it could change again."If they want more fish, then let's make sure that there's fish a plenty out there. Let's get together let's make it happen. Does it take a lot of money? Hell no it doesn't. It takes a lot of hard work by governing bodies, putting their people out there on the lakes and gathering eggs this spring.... We're going to get through this, I can tell you that," he said, "We're going to come to some type of solution that will bring the State to the table more, and we've got to talk about this."